PN, govt reach accord on Tasmanian rail network

<p>The future of the Tasmanian rail network has been assured,after Pacific National and the state government reached an in-principle agreement on contractual arrangements for the network yesterday (Thursday, November 30).</p> <p>Under the new arrangement, state and federal governments will contribute to a $118m rescue package.</p> <p>Tasmanian minister for infrastructure Jim Cox said it was expected the arrangements would be in place by the end of 2006, allowing work schedules to begin, pending approval of the contracts by Cabinet.</p> <p>&#8220I will also be taking a rail legislation package to Cabinet in the new year covering legal issues relating to rail management and rail entity structure,&#8221 Mr Cox said. </p> <p>Mr Cox said he was extremely pleased that the freight rail network was assured.</p> <p>Rail users other than Pacific National would have access to the network, he said, provided they met requirements of an access regime.</p> <p>&#8220From the minute that Pacific National threatened to walk away from Tasmania, the state government has been fully committed to providing a solution.&#8221</p> <br />